The first stage of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket arriving at LC-36 recently. This stage will serve as the first New Glenn launch booster. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin Can Now Legally Use LC-36 Water Deluge System

A Blue Origin BE-4 engine being test fired.
Photo: Blue Origin

A Blue Origin BE-4 engine being test fired.
Photo: Blue Origin
Used as a sound suppression system, a water deluge is necessary to start New Glenn’s engines.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted Blue Origin’s application for a water deluge system at Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. It appears that Blue Origin now has no remaining regulatory hurdles prior to the planned static fire of New Glenn’s first stage and its eventual launch at some point in the near future.

The flame plume of a Falcon 9 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX Planning Starlink 6-67 Late Wednesday Afternoon (Update: Scrubbed)

Late Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral to add to its constantly expanding constellation of Starlink satellites.

This time a Group 6 launch, meaning it is a southeastward launch. It will be into very late afternoon skies on the first day of Standard time and sunsets an hour (by the clock) earlier than the day before. The launch window extends from 4:57 PM EST to 8:03 PM and is expected to be under pleasant skies and an onshore breeze.

NASA/SpaceX Launch Supplies To ISS

NASA/SpaceX Launch Supplies To ISS

Falcon 9 Carrying the NASA CRS-2 SpX CRS-31 Mission to ISS launches on November 4, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Falcon 9 Carrying the NASA CRS-2 SpX CRS-31 Mission to ISS launches on November 4, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX launched the latest resupply mission for the International Space Station this evening with a Falcon 9 launch from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 9:29 PM EDT into skies that cleared just in time for the launch.

NASA and SpaceX Planning To Send Supplies To ISS This Evening

NASA and SpaceX Planning To Send Supplies To ISS This Evening

A Falcon 9 lifting off in 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
A Falcon 9 lifting off in 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX and NASA are planning to launch a Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station this evening aboard a Falcon 9. Launch is scheduled for 9:29 PM EST from Pad LC-39A, in an instantaneous window. The booster used for the mission will return to Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1, several miles south of the launch site. As such, the Space Coast can expect a sonic boom to reverberate across the area at around 9:37 PM.

SpaceX Plans To Launch Starlink 10-13 Early This Evening

SpaceX Plans To Launch Starlink 10-13 Early This Evening

SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 later today from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carrying another group of Starlink satellites. The launch window extends from 5:10 PM EDT to 9:08 PM. If the mission does not launch today due to weather or other reasons, a backup window opens at 5:07 PM EDT October 31st.

The Sharpest Eye On The Sky: Pete Carstens And Max Q Productions

The Sharpest Eye On The Sky: Pete Carstens And Max Q Productions

Pete Carstens' photo.
Pete Carstens

Pete Carstens is a man who can see things almost no one else can. Long after launch spectators and even launch photographers have called it a day, Pete continues tracking the launch, watching the streaking rocket sometimes almost all the way to orbit. Fortunately, he shares everything he sees, making space flight journalism all the better for it.

SpaceX, Falcon 9, Starlink 10-8, October 26, 2024. Photo made from The Space Bar in Titusville. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX Launches Starlink 10-8 From Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL SpaceX and Falcon 9 launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral into low Earth orbit late this afternoon. Liftoff was at 5:47 PM EDT under crystal clear skies and a slight breeze.

    Launch spectators enjoyed some food and drinks at The Space Bar before the Starlink 10-8 launch on October 26,
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
    Launch spectators enjoyed some food and drinks at The Space Bar before the Starlink 10-8 launch on October 26,
    Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024.

    SpaceX Planning To Launch Starlink 6-61 Tuesday Evening

    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024.
    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

    CAPE CANAVERAL SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carrying another group of Starlink satellites. The launch window extends from 6:52 PM EDT to 10:14 PM.

    Note: this article has been updated to reflect a day/time change for the launch.